public accessibility Archives - Jan Mariet's A Day in the Life

A decorative image of the author using her upright rollator.

As a person with a disability, I often get frustrated when people treat my need for accessibility as if it were a special privilege. I have heard people say, “Oh, you are so lucky you have a handicap parking placard.” I am not lucky that I need one. I would give anything to park at the far end of a lot and walk in without pain, fatigue, or risk. That is simply not an option for me.

Accessibility is not a favor. It is a basic right in our society. We have laws that are supposed to protect that right, yet those laws are not enforced the way they should be. Too many people, both in leadership and in the general community, still do not see accessibility as essential, so they ignore it, assuming nothing will happen if they cut corners. Most of the time, they are right and nothing does happen.

Even with laws in place, people with disabilities have to do extra work before going out. They search online for entrance photos, call ahead to ask about elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms. and make backup plans in case those features are broken or blocked. Most people never have to think about any of this. For a person with a disability, it is part of daily life.

As a person with a disability, this is my reality because accessibility is often overlooked or an afterthought. Sometimes, the automatic door doesn’t work. The ramp might be hidden behind the building near the trash dumpster. The front door may be open, but the door leading from the ramp may be locked. There might be an accessible restroom, but it could be out of order for weeks or down a hallway made too narrow by chair storage. I’ve learned to expect these problems, but I shouldn’t have to.

So understand, I refuse express gratitude for the bare minimum. I’m not going to gush with thanks because a public space has a ramp or an elevator. They are basic requirements that allow disabled people to participate in everyday life. They are required. Expecting us to be thankful for access to the world around us is so unfair.

Real progress will only happen when businesses and public places stop treating accessibility as a charitable gesture and start treating it as a core responsibility. This will happen when enforcement is taken seriously and accessibility is seen as nonnegotiable. Equal access is not a special privilege. It is a fundamental right.

I Couldn’t Even Get in the Door – Jan Mariet’s A Day in the Life

Why Disabled People Are Still Shut Out of Leadership – Jan Mariet’s A Day in the Life

Reimagining Accessibility: Undoing Ableism Among Disabled and Medical Communities – Jan Mariet’s A Day in the Life

A bright yellow background with colorful cursive words that say, "Don't Judge a Disability by its Visibility."

Busting Disabled Parking Myths

Disabled people are facing increasing harassment for using disabled parking placards (handicap hang tags & license plates). Let’s get the facts straight.

Myth 1: “You don’t look disabled.”

Fact: There is no single “disabled look.” Many disabilities are invisible, fluctuating, or not obvious to strangers. Some conditions, such as lung or heart disease, may not be visible at all but can severely limit how far a person can safely walk.

Myth 2: “You are too young to need a disabled parking placard.”

Fact: Disability has no age requirement. Children, teens, and adults of all ages can have serious medical conditions that limit mobility, endurance, or safety.

Myth 3: “Disabled parking is only for wheelchair users.”

Fact: Disabled parking is for people whose disabilities affect mobility, pain, fatigue, breathing, balance, safety, or the ability to walk distances, not just wheelchair users.

Myth 4: “If you can walk, you shouldn’t have a disabled parking placard.”

Fact: Being able to walk is not the same as being able to walk safely, repeatedly, or without severe pain or exhaustion.

Myth 5: “People get disabled parking placards easily.”

Fact: The application process is medical, evidence-based, and often difficult. Many people are wrongly denied and must appeal.

Myth 6: “Disabled parking misuse is widespread.”

Fact: Fraud exists, but it is rare. Media outrage exaggerates the issue while ignoring the real harm caused by the harassment of legitimate placard holders.

Myth 7: “Challenging people protects disabled parking.”

Fact: Public policing harms disabled people, not fraudsters. Enforcement is the responsibility of local authorities, not strangers in parking lots. Disabled people do not owe anyone an explanation of their disability or why they use a disabled parking placard. If a placard is displayed, a medical professional and the state have already determined eligibility.

Disabled parking is an accessibility tool, not a privilege. Trust the system, respect the placard, and let disabled people move through the world without fear of confrontation. Disabled parking exists to reduce harm and increase access, not to invite judgment or interrogation. Most disabled people are already navigating pain, fatigue, and medical uncertainty. The last thing they need is to defend their legitimacy in a parking lot. A little restraint and respect go a long way.